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Spirituality
July 4 - 17, 2009 59
Spiritual
Refl ections
Faith groups to aid ‘For Our City, Chandler’
by Kevin Hartke Despite the great work that faith communities do, the business community.
I have had the privilege of serving in Chandler for they also overlap each other, oblivious to the labor of The goal is to create opportunities to serve together
over two decades and have understood and embraced others. under the direction of the mayor to demonstrate
the truth that faith and service are integrally tied A question being asked in cities like Chandler is faith and compassion for the city of Chandler. The
together. how can municipal leaders, faith communities and leadership of the mayors serves as the catalyst to
It is written into the DNA of people of faith to help nonprofi ts work together to respond to opportunities engage a broad spectrum of the community to
the unfortunate, the marginalized, the at-risk and greater than any what individual organization can volunteer.
the struggling. The Book of James challenges us to be tackle? What would Chandler or any city look like if Chandler’s next step was a “For Our City” breakfast on
concerned with the plight of widows, orphans and tens of thousands of volunteers worked together and June 30. Here community and municipal leaders came
needy. True faith in God expresses itself in giving of contributed hundreds of thousands of hours to serve together to talk, break down dividing walls and fi nd
ourselves to others. their city? What needs could be met that otherwise fall ways to work together without fear of compromising
With the downturn in the economy of the past between the cracks? How could suffering be alleviated their faith, organization or constituency. They came
year, there has been greater opportunity for faith and communities transformed? together to dialogue for sustainable solutions through
communities to do more of what they do quietly There are opportunities calling and challenges collaboration of ideas, resources and abilities.
day in and day out: serving their constituency waiting to be remedied that are bigger than can Although the needs of a community can be
and surrounding communities. They stock food be addressed by individual groups. These solutions overwhelming, by working together, servant leaders
banks, embrace the lonely, renovate houses and require collaboration. and organizations they represent can see their impact
neighborhoods, pay bills, clean alleys, work in “If we wake up to this mindset that we’re better multiplied. “Heroes in every generation were seized by
classrooms, assist the poor, youth and aged, teach together, that these incredible resources are not ours a vision that faithful people are called to extraordinary
ESL classes, transport people and feed many. Much but God’s, then transformation of the communities lives of kindness and service, and they were not
of this work goes unapplauded and unknown other to we live near and far from cannot be far behind,” says ashamed to announce to people that God calls them
themselves and the people they are helping. Matt Redman, a songwriter, author and advocate from not to blandness but to heroics.” – (Thoreau)
Not long ago the City of Chandler hired a consultant Atlanta, GA in his book “Facedown.”
to look at assets found in the community. One highly The cities of Tempe and Chandler have made
Kevin Hartke is senior pastor at Trinity Christian Fellowship, a
underutilized asset was the faith community. Today commitments to engage in this course of action.
nondenominational community of “people wanting to love God
and people.” The church is located at 50 S. McQueen Rd., south
there is an increasing desire for faith communities and Visionary mayors like Hugh Hallman and Boyd Dunn
of Chandler Boulevard in Chandler. They can be reached at
municipal leaders to work together for the betterment have initiated processes for partnership between faith
480-963-7698 or on the web at www.tcfchandler.org.
of the people in the community. City departments, communities and the cities where they serve.
nonprofi t agencies and faith communities currently In Chandler, this initiative called “For Our City,
organize many volunteer efforts separately. This Chandler” provides a platform of collaboration
often duplicates effort, time, resources and fi nances. between the city, faith communities, nonprofi ts and
All golfers welcome at CUMC fundraiser
Bring your clubs to Springfi eld Executive Golf Course for a two-player p.m. through July 6 or at the tournament on event day. Checks should be made
scramble golf tournament at 7 a.m. Sat., July 25. The Chandler United payable to Chandler United Methodist Church.
Methodist Church Men’s group is hosting the tournament to raise CUMC Men meet at 6:30 p.m. each fi rst and third Wednesday for
money for new church signage. fellowship. Worship times are 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, with a
“It should be a fun way for golfers, serious and not-so- more traditional service at 9 a.m. and a contemporary Right
serious, to have a morning of friendship and fellowship,” says Now! worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school for children
Gwen Rusk of CUMC. is at 9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday school and Bible study is at 10:30
The tournament, which is open to men, women and a.m.
children, costs $40 per person and includes lunch. There will The church is located at 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd. in
also be door prizes, raffl es and contests. Prizes donations are Southern Chandler. Visit www.chandlermethodist.com or call
welcome and appreciated. 480-963-3360 for more information.
Registration is available at the church offi ce from 9 a.m. to 2
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